From the fortified village of Radicofani begins one of the most scenic stages of the Via Francigena, at about 79 miles (24 kilometers) long and completable in some 7 hours.

The route begins with a spectacular descent of about 5 miles or 8 kilometers along the ridge of the Antica Cassia, among rolling hills, sweeping views of the Val d’Orcia, the profile of Mount Amiata in front and the Rocca di Radicofani behind, growing ever more distant. The route continues through the valley of the Paglia River to Ponte a Rigo, where the path leaves Tuscany and enters Lazio near Centeno. Here, the landscape slowly mutates, announcing the new section of the path.

After Ponte Gregoriano, you face the final climb toward Acquapendente.
Caution is advised on the route that runs along the state road between Centeno and Gregorian Bridge, which should be undertaken with care. Alternatively, the variant through Proceno, a longer but safer section, is recommended.

Refreshments can be found at Ponte a Rigo and Centeno. There are also water supplies at Ponte Gregoriano. 

Nestled on a volcanic rise at the northwestern edge of the Volsini Mountains, the village of Proceno has guarded the border between Lazio and Tuscany for centuries. According to legend, it was founded by the illustrious Etruscan king Porsenna. In the following centuries, it was subjected to the influences of various civilizations, from the Etruscans to the Romans, until the Middle Ages, when it became a strategic garrison contested between noble families and ecclesiastical powers. The heart of the village is its imposing medieval fortress, still inhabited today, which stands out among towers, turrets and ancient walls, offering spectacular views encompassing Mount Amiata, Radicofani and the Val di Paglia.

Narrow cobblestone streets, Renaissance architecture such as the exquisite Palazzo Sforza, and an atmosphere suspended in time render Proceno a place that invites a slow and meditative pace.

In the heart of the village of Acquapendente stands the Basilica del Santo Sepolcro, with this Cathedral being one of the symbolic sites of the Via Francigena, founded in the 10ᵗʰ century and linked to the Benedictine Order. Its origin is closely connected to the underground crypt, which is said to hold a stone stained with the blood of Christ from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This reliquary made the Basilica one of the most important devotional destinations of medieval pilgrimage. The building, which originated in Romanesque style, retains Gothic and Baroque overlays added throughout the centuries, creating a rich and layered architectural ensemble.
Even today, to cross its threshold is to make a spiritual and symbolic journey, in which faith and memory intertwine under the vaults of a timeless place.

Leaving Acquapendente, the path enters the heart of Tuscia Viterbese, giving walkers a succession of changing landscapes between shady forests, cultivated hills and open views of Lake Bolsena. It is precisely the town overlooking the volcanic crater that will host one of the next stops and mark the last 62 miles (100 kilometers) of the Via Francigena, Montefiascone, amid Etruscan memories, revealed in all its splendor. From here, the road continues to Viterbo, city of Popes and a treasure trove of medieval riches, then down again to Vetralla, Sutri, with its amphitheater carved out of tuff, then beyond until reaching the gates of the Eternal City. Stage by stage, the Via Francigena builds to become an experience of beauty, history and spirituality, accompanying travelers to Rome and the Vatican City along a route that speaks to the mind and heart.